Pick up a copy of the Portland Phoenix and turn to page 20. Yay!

So, I’ll ask you first, then tell you my answer.

What do you listen to when you bake/cook?

(post your answers to comments, please. saying them out loud will not cut it)

Me? The playlist varies from time to time and is not specific to the particular cookie/cake being made. Although, that would be really cool to have specific songs for specific cookies. I might work on that.

Until then, I will stick to the two bands that usually provide the soundtrack for baking. I don’t entirely know how or why they became the standards while the oven heats up and ingredients are mixed, but they are.

It’s way more often than not either:

Neutral Milk Hotel – In The Aeroplane Over The Sea

and

Bikini Kill – The CD Version of the First Two Albums

It’s not intentional, but I think baking to Riot Grrrl music is kinda awesome.

I had this fantasy (mine are pretty tame, as you can tell) that Bikini Kill would reunite and play a show at Geno’s here in Portland. I would take them cookies I made while listening to their music and tell them I listen to them while baking. Maybe they would like that and think starting your own baking company and following your dream whether it was practical or not was pretty cool. Then, they would write a song about a cookie man and it would be about me. That would be so rad!

That’s it. That’s my fantasy.

Well, I think it’s cool.

Something is in the works, my friends. Something exciting! Something fun! Oh man, where’s my helmet?

13th COOKIE is in talks with wehatetshirts to run the first batch of 13th COOKIE logo tshirts! From there, hats will follow, maybe patches, possibly stickers, maybe even lunch boxes and bobblehead dolls. Or, just the tshirts. Just think, in maybe six or seven months, we’ll be able to wear them by themselves! With board shorts and/or seersucker pants (are those in season?)!

The following is an artist’s rendering of what a shirt would look like with the 13th COOKIE logo on it. Keep in mind, that isn’t a picture of the actual eventual shirt, just an artist’s rendering.

Don’t you want that? Aren’t you willing to sell your children for that? Well, give your child a cookie and a hug and apologize for being willing to sell them for a tshirt. Then rest assured you won’t have to sell them. Prices have not been determined, but they will not be more than your kin.

…HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, 13TH COOKIE!!! You are 1 year old today!

Gee, they grow up so fast, don’t they? It seems like only yesterday I was fumbling around in the kitchen, unsure of how things would turn out if I changed this ingredient or how much of that thing to put in. Oh wait, that was yesterday. Listen, baking and the chemistry involved is an ever-changing process. I like to experiment, okay? I’m always convinced there’s a better, more efficient, more delicious way to do everything. Keep in mind it’s that maniacal commitment to quality that has earned 13th COOKIE nominations for “Best Cookie” and “Best Kept Secret” (vote here, everyday if you want).

So, little cookie company, what are going to wish for when you blow out your candles? No, you can tell me. It isn’t going to jinx it. If it’s supposed to happen, then it will. I do. I believe you can have anything in this world. You’re a good little cookie company. So, what will you wish for?

Oh, you’d like a storefront? somewhere to bake where people can come in and have cookies? late night cookies, too? and milk? You want to have pinball machines, too? That sounds like fun! And you want to be named “Best Cookie”? Of course I think you’re Best Cookie. Lots of people do.

Well, we’ll see what we can do about that. Until then, enjoy your cake, little cookie company.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, 13TH COOKIE! May all your wishes come true.

I took the ol’ 13th COOKIE cookie box out for the First Friday Art Walk. A few points to clarify for you non-Portland, ME residents:

1) 13th COOKIE has a peanut vendor/cigarette girl-style over-the shoulder box for use in fairs, farmer’s markets and outdoor activities. It’s so much better to be mobile in such circumstances rather than wait for foot traffic to come to you. So much better.

2) First Friday Art Walk is a monthly event in downtown Portland where all of the art galleries (note: every third store in Portland is an art gallery, another third is restaurants, the last third is salons and the occasional boutique. all are bars) open their doors and create a flow of art enthusiasts that runs through the city. The streets come alive and the mood is fantastic.

It was, as it has been, a very pleasant experience. People were so friendly and supportive and…cold. They were cold…not as cold as I was, but cold. A few highlights from this evening:

• A fire juggler, who clearly did not have much in the way of funds in the upturned hat next to him, wanted a cookie and promised to give me the absent change on another pass through. I am a supporter of those who have a talent, however they express it, and I took what he offered and told him to forget about the rest. I walked farther up the street, stopping for the occasional client, when he started to pass by unnoticed. He called out and tapped me on the shoulder, then gave me the missing fifty cents. “I’m an honest man. Thanks.”
• I stopped in to see my good friend, Gerald, who owns Coast City Comics. There was “gathering” of people playing “Magic“. I have watched Gerald and friends play this game before and can say with conviction I have never understood a single word or notion involved with it. Gerald handed me a fold of bills and announced that anyone in attendance who wanted a cookie could have one. What a guy!
• Then I saw my friend, Anna, outside her studio, which was packed. She and one of the artist’s wives eagerly bought cookies and we talked about how our respective businesses were progressing. A number of people stopped, other friends included, and she proved to be a very vocal supporter of 13th COOKIE. Thanks, Anna! You’re aces.
• Three women stopped to ask about the cookies I had. As I started to explain, one of them stormed off with a dismissive wave of her hand. The others explained that she was Gluten-intolerant. I screamed across the traffic after her, but she was out of earshot. I explained to the other two women that she was one of the main reasons I do what I do. I strongly encouraged them to buy one for her and gave them a handout brochure. I would love to find out the results if you’re reading this!
• Then I got feeling back in my hands and I typed this.

Good night. Yeah, good night.

Thanks, Portland.

13th COOKIE has been nominated in the Portland Phoenix as “BEST COOKIE” and “BEST KEPT SECRET”!

I would like to personally thank everyone who voted and offered their support in making a dream grow to become true. You have my humble and heartfelt gratitude and appreciation.

_

A year ago on New Year’s Day, I walked out of a job that was crushing my spirit and ability to enjoy my daily existence. For those of you who know me at all, this was a very, very uncharacteristic act. I walked out on a well-paying job with benefits and potential and security into uncertainty and the worst economy in decades with no back-up plan or prospects of any kind. I decided I wanted to do something fulfilling and rewarding and I wanted to do something I was passionate about and brought about some light into the lives of others.

I began scrambling for work, but refused to repeat the same fall into occupational habits that would land me right back in discontent. I could make cookies and people like cookies. I began focusing on making them so everyone could enjoy them, despite what they decided not to eat or what a doctor or their bodies told them not to.

I love making cookies! Sometimes people say to me, “oh, the gluten-free market is hot right now. good idea!”. That isn’t why I chose to do what I do.

A man came up to me at an event with tears in his eyes. He explained how his daughter had been struggling with Celiac since she was born (she was nine at the time) and how much it meant to them both that she could have something normal and good like a cookie. He was so happy and grateful his child could have something so routine in most children’s lives. That is the reason I do what I do. I felt there was a way, and there certainly was a will.

Thank you to everyone who supports the 13th COOKIE movement to make good things better and available to everyone. Thank you.

…and, remember to vote!

Morning Glory!

Morning Glory Natural Foods in Brunswick (Maine) is now fully restocked with delicious 13th COOKIE tasty offerings. For your consumption, they are currently carrying:

Almond Butter Chocolate Chips

Pompa Doughs

Cherry Chocolate Et Ceteras

Punkin Chocolate Chips

It’s a really cool, independent, thorough, locally-owned health food and natural provisions store. And now, you have another reason to go there! Ask for 13th COOKIEs.

Thanks and enjoy!

Valentine’s Day is nearly upon us!

Let’s speak the truth between us. Flowers die. Cards are lame (unless you make them yourself, then they are heartfelt and thoughtful and awesome). Stuffed animals are uninspired. Chocolates? Really? Come on. You can do better.

How about delicious, pleasant things made by 13th COOKIE? Wonderful, lovingly-prepared Gluten-free, Vegan, Soy-free, Organic tasty good things are the way to your special someone’s heart. You can even use the opportunity to say super-cheesey thing like, “I got you Ginger cookies because I’d Bend over backwards for you.” Okay, you could probably do better, but you get the idea.

Call or write and place your order now for  Valentine’s Day!

(i was trying to make Lady Lamb’s song “Until I Am Bones” play when you opened this post, but i bake, not edit sound. sorry. here)